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  "path": "/sport/football/luke-littler-england-panama-world-cup",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-27T09:09:53.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "England star reveals 'clear the air talks' with Thomas Tuchel before Panama World Cup match",
    "Kylian Mbappe involved in bizarre Michael Oliver moment during France World Cup win over Norway",
    "Iran captain launches astonishing attack on Fifa as World Cup branded 'a disaster'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nLuke Littler is hoping England make light work of Panama on Saturday night, because he wants to leave the World Cup match early.\n\nThe teenage darts sensation will be at the MetLife Stadium for the Three Lions' final Group L fixture after being invited by FIFA, but already has one eye on another sporting event taking place later in the evening.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nLittler is also due at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for a boxing card and admits he is desperate for Thomas Tuchel's side to put the result beyond doubt as quickly as possible.\n\nThe 19-year-old joked that an emphatic England victory would allow him to beat the traffic and make it across New York in time.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n\"I am hoping we can go three or four nil up so I can 'back-door it' and miss the traffic because I've got to go to the Barclays Center to watch the boxing,\" Littler said.\n\nEngland head into the Panama clash needing a victory to guarantee top spot in Group L, though a draw would also likely be enough to finish above Ghana and Croatia.\n\nLittler has already enjoyed success on the international stage this summer.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAlongside Luke Humphries, he guided England to victory in the World Cup of Darts in Germany earlier this month, defeating the Netherlands in the final.\n\nNow he wants the national football team to follow suit.\n\n\"Me and Luke have done our job and now it is down to the England boys,\" Littler said.\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS:\n\n\n\n\n  * England star reveals 'clear the air talks' with Thomas Tuchel before Panama World Cup match\n  * Kylian Mbappe involved in bizarre Michael Oliver moment during France World Cup win over Norway\n  * Iran captain launches astonishing attack on Fifa as World Cup branded 'a disaster'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"We are obviously massive football fans.\n\n\"Is it coming home? We don't know just yet, but hopefully we can get that win on Saturday.\"\n\nThe back-to-back world champion has built a close relationship with England's squad in recent months.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe visited Tuchel's camp in March, helping organise the 'Three Lions Darts Championship' as players competed against one another during the international break.\n\nLittler was then rewarded with tickets to the World Cup by FIFA.\n\nThe Warrington teenager has also enjoyed seeing darts culture embraced by England supporters in North America.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThousands of fans packed Madison Square Garden for the World Series of Darts this week, where Littler finished runner-up to Humphries on Friday night.\n\nEngland's opening 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas also had a familiar soundtrack.\n\nThe Football Association selected the iconic darts anthem \"Chase the Sun\" as one of the songs to be played whenever England score at the tournament.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt rang around the stadium several times against Croatia and Littler hopes to hear it again against Panama.\n\n\"I didn't have any part in it being chosen, but it's good to see,\" he added.\n\n\"It's the main song in darts and hopefully we can score a few goals and celebrate.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Why Luke Littler wants to leave England vs Panama World Cup match early"
}